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2002 Dodge Dakota Owner Comments

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

Automatic transmission

50,230 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Rattling noise heard in the front end and pulsing brakes when stopping. Took vehicle to dealer. Technician indicated the front brakes were making the noise. Replaced the front brakes. I've had problems with the front brakes on this vehicle over and over again. In July 06, the rotors had to be replaced (see ODI #10200119) with only 35,552 K on the truck. The new rotors had to be turned in March 07 (see ODI #10200122) wiith ony 46,295 on the truck. At that time the person writing up the ticket asked me when I had the front brakes replaced because, in her words "they look brand new". strangely, only 2 months later at 50,230 miles, the technician indicated the brakes had to be replaced. These were the original brakes. Total cost was $146.

Dakota 8-cyl

Automatic transmission

28,600 miles

: the contact stated while driving 35 mph the front brakes locked up without warning. The road was dry and the braking condition was normal. The contact further stated the brakes felt sluggish, as if riding on a flat tire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the master cylinder, rotors and pads were replaced which corrected the problem.

Dakota 4WD 6-cyl

Automatic transmission

31,100 miles

The front brakes on my truck was diagnosed with defective rotors. I do mostly highway driving so I expected 40,000 to 50,000 miles on the front brakes. I had 15,000 miles on the truck for its 1st brake inspection and was told at that time that I still had approximately 80% of pads left. I brought the truck in at 31,000 and requested to have the brakes inspected again. I was taken by surprise when they told me that the rotors were shot and asked to see them before I would authorize a repair. The mechanic told me that there was over 50% of the brake pads left but somehow the brake rotors were scored so badly that they could not be cut down to repair them, they must be replaced, and I could also see that the rotors were that bad. Considering that there was a lot of brake pad left I opted not to spend the $565 at this time and get more life out of the brakes. They still stop the vehicle with no problems. I feel that this should be looked into.. defective metal in the rotors, ( not hard enough ), defective pads, ( hard steel embedded in them ) etc.

Dakota 6-cyl

Automatic transmission

19,182 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving home after having transmission rebuilt my brakes started to sound as if there was dirt on the pads. As the vehicle only had 19000 miles at the time that's what I believed. The noise over the next week got louder and the truck harder to stop saftly. Contacted dealer brought in and discovered that the rotors were scared and the pads were gone on the passenger side. The rotor was pitted on the driver side. Dealer refuses to fix except as a maintence issue. They did however replace upper ball joints. I believe the loose front end caused the vibration in wheels which led to brake failure. I have read many compaints of brakes on the web. Dodge needs to recal this veicle -- someone is going to get hurt.

Dakota 8-cyl

Automatic transmission

miles

Dodge Dakota 4X4 2002 /have been experiencing front end problems with truck since purchase. Brought in numerous times to dealer for brake issues[front rotors, pads, rear drums and discs].told multiple times there is no problem, its the way you drive. Truck has never been abused, very well cared for. After the 5th time to dealer finnally told that the upper ball joints need replacment.this was after one full year of denial.notified dealer of noise at the steering wheel, told they could not vrify the complaint would probably go away after replacing upper ball joints.one week later after replacment of upper ball joints, same noise reoccured [loud clunking sound at front end]took back to dealer only to be told that the bottom ball joints need replacment, no mention one week prior about wear on lower area.dealer also stated that the noise noted coming from stering wheel from previous complaints was now thought to be an intermiediate shaft in the steering column, this same noise that one week earlier could not be identified.at 30,000 miles my entire differential gear assembbly needed replacment.I have been charged multiple warranty deductibles on what seems to me to be, the same problem and possibly a canidate for lemon status.at what point will the consumers right's be protected.I am joining a class action lawsuit in regards to Chrysler/daimler and suggest to everyone who reads this to do the same.check out www.dodgetalk.com for info and links.also I reccomend to anyone who has had problems with their daeler in terms of denials/non repairs/faulty workmanship/or any related costs out of pocket to file formal complaints and contact a local lemon law attorney in relation to their actions and lack of proper business ethics.only until we make change happen can we acctually achieve it.good luck to everyone who reads this.

Dakota

5,000 miles

Vehicle had excessive brake pad wear. The front pads has been replaced 4 times and the rear twice within a short period of time. Also at 4,000 when turning there was clucking noise in the front end of the truck. The front tires had a quarter inch cup in them. The upper ball joints were bad. The dealership replaced the ball joint but the problem recurred. The upper ball joint had to be replace again.

Dakota

miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2002 Dodge Dakota 4X4 had a defect in the brakes/rotors which had to be replaced at 30000 miles. From checking chat sites this is apparently a very common problem with this truck. Dodge told me that they were not going to do anything for me that the truck was not under warranty.

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

Manual transmission

15,000 miles

I am having problems with the brakes, which causes a shudder under moderate braking. The front brake pads are dragging all of the time, causing the rotors to overheat and warp. The warped rotors are the only problem that the dealer acknowledges, but there is obviously some defect that is causing the rotors to warp after only 15,000 miles.

Dakota 4WD 8-cyl

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